Piano flourish with a plodding rhythm
(Piece of Odd #10)
Piano is my instrument of choice.
It speaks for me.
It expresses my feelings.
It sounds...
The rest of this piece is keyboard allsorts: all sorts of keyboard sounds: each one chosen with love!
Some are profound and powerful: others are light and shy. Some are quirky: some tuneful: some aren't: but they're all relevant, and they're all necessary for the piece to sound as it does.
If you like or dislike or care not a jot about this piece of odd, that's just fine.
Music is subjective and so should it be.
How does this composition sound to you?
How does it make you feel?
What images are conjured up in your mind when you close your eyes to see and open your ears to listen?
Allow yourself to be guided by the sound.
Go with it, and don't stop until it's all over, unless you reach that point where you've had enough.
I do that sometimes: do you?
Here is the music...
WAV file - higher quality
Your response to my music is welcomed below...
Muchas Gracias
Copyright QJé © 2025. All rights reserved. PRS registered.
There is a hint of Adam’s Family laced into the composition. Also, I detect a grandma sitting at an piano/organ. She’s keeping to her own rhythm and, as with the other players present, all seem unaware of a clockwork cordination of musical events being created. It’s busy but nicely paced. All these comical characters appear to be getting the job done – yet none seem to have a blithering clue what the job is! Currently, our imagination may provide the only image of the job in hand . If it were mine, I would hand the recording over to a Disney studio. I’m sure they will have a movie in the making, where this piece when combined with the visuals, will come to life, in a way that would remain in our minds forever. A highly infectious tune which grabbed me strongly by the 4th or 5th play!
Totally get the black and white feel. The constant ticking suggests time is ebbing away, but the mystery in the music says we don’t know what’s creeping closer. I imagined a remake of something with David McCallum, so maybe it should be supernatural – Sapphire and Steel perhaps, with those hard metallic sounds.
Thanks Chris. Great comments as usual. Appreciated.
Good dynamics to it.
I like!!
Well… How lovely to get a response from you, Jeremy. I’m really made up that you took the time and trouble to have a listen. Thanks matey. It means a lot.
For me I hear shades of Wendy Carlos. But that’s a good thing!
I felt a cold war spy movie tension about it… for some reason in black and white? That monotonic baseline made me think that the spy trade craft was more digital rather than 007. I’m no musician, but I would have liked a grander synth baseline under the existing, if that makes sense? I think that would add to a feeling of greater menace.
But I loved it and will play it again in the car through all its 14 speakers.
Interesting comments, Dave. I didn’t really intend this piece to have a lot of menace. I thought it was quite pleasant actually. But great to get your interpretation. Thanks for commenting. All the best…
2nd Listening, eyes shut and quality cans…Wow!
What a difference. I take back my twaddle about low notes, it has it all, especially the stunning piano work and what a sound! I stand by my question about “Oblivion,” the piece doesn’t disturb me enough to lose hope. Early on it rises a 4th…I didn’t like that. I promise I will listen with more attention in future, your work deserves it.
Well, first of all, thanks for re-listening. Delighted you like the piano and the sound. I’m going to change the title and remove the word ‘Oblivion’ for sure. You’re right it’s not disturbing, but it is kind of ‘where am I?’ As to your last point about the rise of a 4th, I went with my natural inclination to move to the 4th to coincide with the staccato piano phrase, which is a well-worn rhythmic tool and un-novel to keep a predictability about that section near the start, probably because I like to create a false sense of security followed with a ‘what the hell just happened’ kind of move sideways. And finally, thanks for your ‘future intention’ to listen with more attention. I love our little chats, what with your being so musically talented.
I like “Where am I (Going)?”
You’re explanation of the 4th lift goes beyond my simple understanding 🤣 and it still gives me an “oh dear” moment. These things are subjective, so maybe I’m making too much of it. That’s my honourable retreat. I should say, the sound palette is inspired.
Does your ‘oh dear’ moment mean it was predictable – which I think it is? And what would you have it do there instead? I do like collaboration, if you want to join in!
Right!….First, I got the “Path” but didn’t quite see the “Oblivion.” Second, I feel it could do with something in the low frequencies to give it a bit more authority. Perhaps LF pulses (occasionally) on the 1st and 3rd beats. Hey…what do I know. Very clever piece. I’m sure this type of work is getting you noticed.
Hi QJ
Nice one! I felt I was on the move, in a car or a train. In the car I was travelling through Europe on a mission, urgent, not desperate. On the train I was walking through the carriages, looking for someone, careful, not rushing. Physically moving with the train as we ran along the tracks. Sometimes swaying , sometimes noisy. Through tunnels and into the beyond P xxx
Wow! What a great imagination you have, Phillipa. Thanks for listening. xxx
I liked this.
Elements reminded me of some of Gary Numan‘s work, although with a more distinct rhythm.
It’s not derivative though, in fact is very original, conjuring up (in my mind anyway) of psychological drama and intrigue.
Thanks for listening, Kevin. Great to get your comment. Flattered actually!
I’m getting shades of American cop drama. Love the keyboards / harpsichord sound very much. Hooked me in. I was tapping my foot along with all of it. I want someone to use it as a tele theme tune immediately!